David Thomas: “The fact is we do need an energy policy. We haven't had one for a very long time. It has been something we have been…”

“The fact is we do need an energy policy. We haven't had one for a very long time. It has been something we have been working on now for 3 years. The other side of the aisle was unable to get one for the last year, and we worked right up to the end and it didn't get through. Now we have worked on it another 2 years, and we ought to be able to get it finished. I am disappointed that everyone talks about the need and then begins to talk about why they don't like this bill and this little piece and that little piece. I understand. It is a broad bill. But it is an important issue. We need an energy policy. We need the kind of energy policy that gives us some direction for where we are going to be in the future. It is not designed to deal with all the problems that may exist today, although some of those are there of course. We ought to be looking to where we need to be in 10 years or 15 years down the road. That is what policies are for--to talk about the future.”